Pickens County voters go to the polls on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding primary runoff elections.

Q. If I voted in one party’s primary on June 10, can I vote in the other party’s runoff on June 24?

A. No. If you voted in one party’s primary, you can vote only in the runoff of the same party. In other words, if you voted in the Democratic Primary, you are limited to the Democratic Runoff; if you voted in the Republican Primary, you are limited to the Republican Runoff.

Q. I didn’t vote on June 10. Can I vote in the runoff?

A. Yes. If you were eligible but did not vote on June 10, you can vote in either party’s runoff.

Q. What candidates and/or offices are in the Primary Runoffs?

A. The candidates and offices on a particular ballot will differ depending on the primary in which you’re voting (Republican or Democratic), and the county and districts in which you reside. To find out what candidates will appear on your ballot, click HERE.

Q. I missed the May 10 voter registration deadline for the June 10 Primaries, but I registered before May 24. Can I vote in the Runoff?

A. No. There is no new voter registration deadline for the runoffs. To be eligible to participate in the Primary and/or the Runoffs, you must have registered by May 10.

Q. Where do I vote?

A. At the polling place in your precinct. Your precinct and polling place are listed on your voter registration card. However, it’s possible your polling place may have changed since the card was issued. To be sure of the location of your polling place:

* If you are not yet registered, you need to register to vote first. You can register and have your photo taken on the same day; however, you must have registered by May 10 in order to participate in the June 24 Runoff. If you’ve missed the deadline, go ahead and register and get a Photo ID. You’ll be ready for next time. Click HERE to learn more about registering to vote.

A. You can either retrieve your Photo ID and return to vote, or vote a provisional ballot that will count only if you show your Photo ID to the election commission prior to certification of the election (on Thursday for primaries).

Q. What if I can’t get a Photo ID?

A. Bring your non-photo voter registration card with you to the polling place. This will allow you to sign an affidavit stating you have a reasonable impediment to obtaining Photo ID and then vote a provisional ballot. This provisional ballot will count unless someone proves to the election commission that you are lying about your identity or about having the listed impediment.

A reasonable impediment is any valid reason, beyond your control, which created an obstacle to obtaining a Photo ID. Some examples include:

· A disability or illness

· A conflict with your work schedule

· A lack of transportation

· A lack of a birth certificate

· Family responsibilities

· A religious objection to being photographed

· Any other obstacle you find reasonable

To vote under the reasonable impediment exception:

1. Inform the poll managers that you do not have a photo ID and could not get one.

2. Present your current, non-photo registration card.

3. Sign the affidavit provided by the poll managers stating why you could not obtain a Photo ID.

4. Cast a provisional ballot that will be counted unless the county election commission has reason to believe your affidavit is false.

Q. I’ve moved since the last election and haven’t updated by voter registration card. Can I still vote?

A. If you…

1. …moved to another residence within your precinct, you can update your address at your polling place and vote a regular ballot.

2. …moved to a different precinct within your county, you are eligible vote Failsafe (see below).

3. …moved to another residence in another county within 30 days of the primary, you are eligible to vote Failsafe (see below).

4. …moved to another residence in another county prior to 30 days before the primary, you are not eligible to vote.

Two Options for Voting Failsafe:

1. The voter may vote at the polling place in his previous precinct using a failsafe provisional ballot. A failsafe provisional ballot contains only federal, statewide, countywide, and municipality-wide offices.

2. The voter may go to the voter registration office in the county in which he currently resides, change his address, and vote a regular ballot there.

Q. How is the winner determined in a runoff?

A. The candidate with the highest number of votes wins.

Q. When is a recount necessary?

A. When the difference between any candidate declared nominated and any other candidate not declared nominated is 1% or less of the total votes cast for all candidates for that office, a recount is mandatory.

Q. When/where will results be reported?

A. Unofficial results will be reported on election night at https://pickenselections.org/ in real time as the SEC receives them from each county election commission.

Q. I saw a candidate/member of candidate’s campaign at my polling place talking to voters. Can he do that?

A. Yes, but there are restrictions:

-Inside the polling place: No campaigning is allowed. Candidates may be inside the polling place and talk to voters as long as they are not campaigning, intimidating voters, or interfering with the election process.

-Within 200 feet of an entrance to a polling place: Candidates and campaign staff may campaign as long as they are not intimidating voters or interfering with the election process. However, no campaign literature, signs, or posters are allowed. Candidates are allowed to wear a badge no larger than 4.25” x 4.25” featuring only the candidate’s name and office sought. Candidates must remove their badge upon entering a polling place.

Q. A candidate is definitely campaigning while in the polling place, or there is campaign literature within 200 feet of the entrance. What can I do?

A. Inform the poll clerk immediately. If the issue is not resolved, contact the county election commission. The election commission will address the complaint.

Q. Can candidates or their representatives take people to the polls to vote?

A. Yes. It’s ok for any person, even a candidate, to give a voter a ride as long as it’s solely to help facilitate voting. However, no one can give a voter anything of value in exchange for voting.

Q. Do employers have to give you time off to vote?

A. No. There is no state or federal law mandating that employers give time off to employees to vote. Voters who know they will not be able to visit the polls on Election Day should apply to vote absentee before the day of the election.

Q. Are there any laws about candidates posting their signs along the roadway?

A. Yes, there are several state laws addressing political signs on roadways, as well as county and municipal ordinances. See SC Code of Laws Sections 57-25-10, 57-25-140, and 7-25-210. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the entity that maintains the road (state, county, and municipality) to enforce applicable sign laws.

Q. When I left the polls, I was asked to participate in an “exit poll.” Is this legal?

A. Exit polls are legal and participation is voluntary. They are NOT conducted by the State Election Commission or the county election commissions. Exit polls may not be conducted inside the polling place, and voters should not be approached as they enter the polling place. If you feel threatened or intimidated by a pollster, report it immediately to the poll clerk.

Online Registration Deadline 11:59PM Oct 8th

-65Days-22Hours-10Minutes-47Seconds

NEW! Register to Vote ONLINE

Requires S.C. Driver’s License or DMV ID

If you have moved and not updated your address with the DMV, you’ll need to do this first by CLICKING HERE (Click green “Next” button at bottom of next screen and follow onscreen prompts. After you have updated your DMV record, you’ll need to return to this page and hit the “Register Now” button above to register to vote or update your voter registration record.)

Online applications must be submitted on or before the deadline to be valid for any specific election. Online voter registration does not “turn off” at the deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will be processed but will not be valid for that particular election.

Check Your Voter Registration Online Here

Get My Absentee Application

*Important: You will need to download and print the application the system provides you, sign it, and send it to our office. Application can be sent by US Postal Mail, Email Attachment, or Fax.

Disclaimer: Information presented on the PickensElections.org website is collected, organized, and provided for the convenience of the user. While the Board of Voter Registration & Elections of Pickens County (hereafter Board) attempts to keep such information accurate and up-to-date, it cannot warrant the authenticity or reliability of such information. This publication is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. The Board maintains all immunities as provided in the S.C. Tort Claims Act. Under no circumstances will the Commission, the County, the State, or their agents and/or employees be liable for any actions taken, or omissions made, from reliance on any information contained on, or linked to, PickensElections.org from any source nor shall the Board, the County, the State, or their agents and/or employees be liable for any other consequences from any such reliance. A link from PickensElections.org is not an endorsement of the content, viewpoints, products, or services at the remote site. Users are responsible to determine for themselves which web pages are part of the official PickensElections.org website and which are merely convenient links. Email addresses obtained are subject to the access and confidentiality provisions of the State's Freedom of Information Act and other applicable sections of the South Carolina Code of Laws and/or federal law. No person or private entity shall knowingly obtain or use any personal information obtained from PickensElections.org for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State. By using PickensElections.org, the user acknowledges and agrees to be bound by the terms of the above disclaimer. Any questions should be directed to the Executive Director of the Board.

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